Shreveport spring festivals deemed a success

The Mudbug Madness celebration in Shreveport brought an end to that city's spring festival season, and officials say the season was a success at bringing more people downtown.

The Mudbug Madness celebration in Shreveport.

The series of spring festivals was called Rendezvous on the Red and included events such as Holiday in Dixie, a "Lunch on the Lawn" concert series and Mudbug Madness, the festival that ended Sunday.

Melanie Bacon, executive director of Downtown Shreveport Unlimited, which presents Mudbug Madness every year, tells The Times of Shreveport that the entertainment and arts event brought in more people and money this year. Bacon said the Rendezvous on the Red marketing effort helped, as did social media marketing. Officials also credited sunny weather and high fuel prices that had locals looking for entertainment close to home.

Liz Swaine, executive director of the Downtown Development Authority, said Rendezvous on the Red aided in the marketing of events to local people, which helped increase attendance at events like Mudbug Madness.

"The biggest complaint I hear from people is there's nothing to do," she said. "We never want to hear that. We want people to say there's too much to do. That's a much better complaint."